Safety brake for band-saw blades



Jan. 6, 1948. J. P. MORGAN SAFETY BRAKE FOR BAND SAW BLADES Filed June19, 1944 Inventor JOSEPH P MORGAN,

and

Wave 13m Patented Jan. 6, 1948 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SAFETY BRAKEFOR BAND-SAW BLADES Joseph P. Morgan, New Castle, Pa.

Application June 19, 1944, Serial N 0. 541,071

, 2 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in band sawmachines and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner ashereinafter set forth, novel means controlled by the blade, forautomatically stopping and firmly holding said blade in the event thatit should break or become too loose.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an automatic safety brakeof the aforementioned character for band saw blades which will becomparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, reliable, andwhich may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing, and still further objects and advantages of theinvention will become apparent from a study of the followingspecification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing whereinlike characters of reference designate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of an automatic safety brakeconstructed in accordance with the present invention, showing the devicein position on a band saw machine.

Figure 2 is a view in horizontal section, taken substantially on theline 22 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device removed from the band sawmachine.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that theembodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises anarcuate lever l of suitable metal. The lever l is pivotally secured at 2for vertical swinging movement in the guard or housing 3 of aconventional band saw machine 4 adjacent one side of the front run ofthe endless blade 5 and above the usual pair of guide rollers 6 for saidblade.

Mounted horizontally on the upper end portion of the lever l is ashaft 1. Journaled on the shaft 1 is a roller 3 of felt, fiber, or othersuitable material which is adapted to ride on the endless blade 5. Apull spring 9 has one end connected to the housing 3 and its other endconnected to the upper portion of the lever l for engaging the roller 8with the blade 5.

Mounted on the lower end portion of the lever l is a laterallyprojecting threaded shank Ill. A wedge ll adjustable in any conventionalmanner is mounted on the shank l0.

It is thought that the operation of the device will be readily apparentfrom a consideration of the foregoing. As illustrated to advantage inFigure 1 of the drawing, the roller 8 rides on the front of the blade 5and a wedge II is positioned adjacent the back of said blade anddirected between said blade and the rear guide roller 6. Thus, as longas the blade 5 is functioning under the correct tension the wedge H isheld in raised or inoperative position. However, should the blade 5break or shoud there be too much slack therein, the spring 9 actuatesthe lever l in a direction to engage the wedge l 1 between the band 5and the rear guide roller 6. In this manner the blade 5 is arrested andfirmly held, thereby preventing further damage to the machine andprotecting the operator against injury.

It is believed that a safety brake for band saw blades constructed inaccordance with the present invention Will be readily understood, andalthough a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated anddescribed, it is to be understood that changes in the details ofconstruction may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

What I claim is:

1. A brake for band saw machines of the type having a housing, a pair ofguide rollers in said housing and an endless blade operable between saidrollers, comprising a wedge movably mounted on said housing andengageable-in braking relation between the blade and one of said guiderollers, resilient means biasing said wedge into braking position, and arestraining member for preventing operation of said resilient means,said restraining member including a portion bearing against said bladeduring normal tensioning thereof.

2. A brake for band saw machines of the type having ahousing, a pairofguide rollers in said housing and en endless blade operable between saidrollers, comprising a Wedge movably mounted on said housing andengageable in braking relation between the blade and one of said guiderollers, resilient means biasing said wedge into braking position, and arestraining member for preventing operation of said resilient means,said restraining member including a portion bearing against said bladeduring normal tensioning thereof, said restraining member furtherincluding a lever having the fulcrum intermediate its ends and one endsupporting said wedge and its other end supporting a roller bearingagainst said blade.

JOSEPH P. MORGAN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,757,785 Sullenberger May 6,1930 2,286,589 Tonnewitz June 16, 1942

